Anyone had any positive purchasing experiences at these type of places?

Auto Lenders, K&f Auto, AutoQuest Inc, etc...any others out there worth looking at?

Thanks for your input!

Mark

 

I have purchased 2 cars from Autolenders. Most of their cars are low mileage and in fantastic condition. Although they maintain a "no-haggle" policy, most of their vehicles are priced way below retail. This is not to say you cannot get a better deal elsewhere. I do highly recommend them!

 

I don't know if they're deliver to Alaska, but I just bought by '04 LS430 from Autolenders and nothing but good things to say thus far. 38K for $29K, Custom Luxury edition with Smartaccess... best buy of my life. No hassle/haggle mentality made the buy very easy. I actually paid them four visits and was no pressured at any point to close a deal or 'what can we do to make you drive this home today' mentality.

It's all the little things in life that give you a warm/cozy feeling. After we purchased the vehicle, a few weeks later got a thank you letter from the V.P. and a small gift (clock that looks like a shift gate), that wasn't super valuable, but it's the small "touches" of customer service that make it a special purchase. Just a sign of appreciation.

Their prices are "good" compared to private sale market, but huge inventory and all low miles, and vehicles in very good condition.

 

I purchased my 05 LS430 from K&F about three months ago. Was very happy with the car and the dealership. Omied did a really great job of helping me. I'll look to him for future purchases as well.

There was another member on here that was not happy with some paint flaws that had not be fully disclosed when they purchased blindly. There was a bit of discussion on it and it was recommended that a 3rd party inspection always be paid for if you can't look at the car yourself. Sounded like a good idea to me.

But all in all...i would recommend them.

 

I would be very skeptical of purchasing something, especially a car, sight unseen. New in box (like a toy or something), I would buy, but something that is so subjective in terms of what's a problem, or not a problem, like a used vehicle, needs to be looked at.

I don't know if this helps you any since you're in Alaska, but I had offered some CL members (in Delaware and Baltimore area, even NY) that if they're interested in any particular vehicles at Autolenders, that I can go and take a look at the stock number they're interested in and I'll take extra photos of any "problem" areas that I see. That way, they don't drive 4-5 hours to potentially see a vehicle not up to their expectations.

I'm about one hour from the Lakewood facility and another hour or so from the Voorhees location, so they're not too far. Also, I run down south about once a month, so I could do it in conjunction with one of my trips. I'm surely not running there every weekend to do this.

Anyway, off lease programs seem to be nice places to purchase vehicles with low miles and in fairly good condition because the "owners" already know before hand that they need to keep mileage low, and any major issues with body/wear-n-tear, they are responsible for.

 

Thanks for the responses and feed back. I appreciate everyone's input.

AlexusAnja, I appreciate your offer of a personal walk around. Their vehicles seem very clean and the selection is good. I liked the 2005 Flint Mica Ultra and the 2006 Ultra they had on the Voorhees lot. They told me they sold them however. By the way, they are running some sort of sale right now, offering vehicles below the internet pricing. Good time to buy it seems.

AudioBuff, thanks for the second on Auto Lenders, if you have been back again, obviously you were happy with the dealership.

bigcory, thanks for the heads up on K&F, Omied has nice looking vehicles as well. Plus he is closer, but I wouldn't mind the drive either! Did you get that Blue Onyx LS he had a while back?

I would certainly want a prepurchase inspection and a trustworthy soul to get a first hand look on any vehicle for sale used.

We are looking for a road worthy vehicle to drive back and forth to Mexico from the Seattle area. We will store the car at the in-laws in a heated garage when in Alaska, so no problem there. My wife wants a Tundra Crewmax since she is sold on Toyota's reliaibility, we are still driving her '91 pickup with the 22 re engine. The only thing she hesitates about is the Tundie's mpg, it makes her pause, enough I'm hoping to move my way, with the LS, since any purchase requires agreement. We test drove a plain 2004 LS 430 while in Seattle a few weeks ago, first time for either of us in one. I told her, "you know these are Toyota's, kinda". She felt low to the ground, however was impressed with the ride, interior space, features and how quiet it was inside. Progress. Drove the Tundie too to be fair, what a beast when you punch it, I'm glad the MSRP sticker was still on it with mpg.

Mark

 

I actually picked up the 05 Silver/Gray with 47k miles for $27k.

Car is almost pristine with only two minor dings that were barely noticable.

 

I, too, had a great experience buying my 04 LS from AutoLenders. No pressure at all. No annoying sales-speak Not any negatives at all, as a matter of fact.

And I hate buying cars, and dealing with those types

Walt.

 

OH, don't tell me that !!!! I just got the vehicle less than one month ago... you're telling me the price is even better ?!?!?!

even if it were $1K less, I have no regrets with purchase time and stuff. We researched and researched and the time was right for us. NO REGRETS WHATSOEVER... unless the offer is $2K less ,then I would regret getting so fast... ha ha.

 

Not too worry, you should have no regrets, it wasn't that high a discount. In fact it was only an email, so nothing in writing, fuget 'bout et. You did fine.

In combing through their listings I found 2 with the Custom Luxury packages that were quite competitive as well.

Must be a huge inventory 0f 2005s out there. What happens when the 2006s start to come of lease next year??

Mark

 

They start dropping like flies. There are several 2006 already off-lease at Autolenders. When I was looking, the '04 Custom I saw was exactly the same interior and exterior color between an '05. The only difference was 18" wheels on the '05. The '04 was $29K, the '05 was $32K. I didn't see the "value" of paying $3K more for a one year (and 8K less miles) newer vehicle.

It also seems their Voorhees location as more "upper" level selections, like CL and UL trims.

Best of luck finding your LS.